'Double Cross' Starring Ama K. Abebrese, John Dumelo, Adjetey Anang, Paulina Oduru And Samuel O. Mensah

"Double Cross" which won the 2014 Ghana Movie Awards' ‘Best Cinematography’ and ‘Best Hair and Make Up Design’ of the year was premiered at the Silverbird Cinemas – Accra Mall and Westhills Mall, Weija on Friday, February 6. The after-party took place at Pulse VIP Nights, SOHO Bar, Marina Mall, Accra.

Cast: Ama K. Abebrese, John Dumelo, Adjetey Anang, Paulina Oduru, Samuel O. Mensah

Director: Pascal AKA

Synopsis: Effie Howard (Ama K. Abebrese) stars as the fiancé of a convicted and sentenced young man, Ben Boateng (Adjetey Anang). Determined to prove his innocence; she carried out her own investigation and finds the actual robber; Danny Frimpong (John Dumelo) a calm and collected sophisticated genius of a thief. Obaabeng Frimpong (Paulina Oduro) stars as the mother and accomplice of Danny Frimpong (John Dumelo) whiles Johnny Yawson (Samuel O. Mensah) stars as a detective who gave John all the tough time he deserves including his fortune.

Review:

Ama K. Abebrese brings yet another adrenaline-filled, comic-inspired movie to the big screen. We see all sorts of familiar faces this time in this movie.

Effie Howard (Ama K. Abebrese) a streetwise programmer’s life is dramatically turned upside down when her fiancé Ben Boateng (Adjetey Anang) is convicted and sentenced for a bank robbery he did not commit. Determined to prove his innocence; she carried out her own investigation and finds the actual robber; Danny Frimpong (John Dumelo) a calm and collected sophisticated genius of a thief who has a personal vendetta against the bank he robbed Neptune Bank International. He robbed the bank using urbane technology which enabled him to enter, steal and exit the bank leaving everyone mystified as to how the theft was carried out -- no witnesses, no evidence, yet the money is gone.

She meets Danny and threatens him but later offers him a deal; and it’s to rob the bank again with similar methods as the first so the authorities know the actual robber is still out there, then Danny will not lose what matters to him most and the reason for the bank robbery. She plans to relocate with the stolen money and start a new life with Ben when he is acquitted so as to get away from the stigma attached to ex-convicts and their families. They are successful in the robbing the bank, Effie now sets her sights on a jewellery warehouse and she wants Danny to rob it.

With a lot of jewellery and money at stake, each one of them tries to outwit each other with medleys of smart thinking as they plan and execute the robberies. They meticulously plan the robberies, but no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare them for the dangerous enemy, an enemy Effie least expected and never saw coming; an unexpected turn of events on the day of the robbery.

Danny, after having difficulties in unlocking the backdoor of the jewellery warehouse finally enters and robs as much as he can but unfortunately for him, the Stewart team led by Johnny Yawson (Samuel O. Mensah) arrives at the scene for his arrest. Detective Johnny Yawson negotiates with Danny to drop his weapon for any demands but before his capture, he releases a time-bomb that explodes in 5 seconds. After the explosion, a body was identified and carried away by the ambulance. Effie couldn’t hold it than to weep because all hope was gone when the bomb exploded.

But, to everyone’s surprise, John escapes the explosion as earlier planned with his crook mum, Obaabeng Frimpong (Paulina Oduro). He successfully crosses the border with all the jewellery he robbed to live in Panama and Ben later released from prison.

This film served as great entertainment with its colourful cast and numerous plot twists. Pascal AKA used the right actors for the movie as all of them shone in their respective roles: John Dumelo with his impressive robbery tricks, while Ama K. Abebrese and Adjetey Anang were both excellent—and obviously comfortable with AKA’s directing style and the film’s dramatic tone.

After a few scenes, however, we were convinced that the casting decisions were a good one, as John Dumelo portrayed the robber’s role brilliantly.

There were a few times when the movie felt a bit drawn out especially when Samuel O. Mensah tried to negotiate with John to surrender and the fire effects from the explosion, but the gorgeous action scenes and other impressive dialogue really held the audience’s attention and kept them on the edge of their seats. Despite the films minor shortcomings, is exciting, creative, and intriguing—and well worth a few minutes of your time.